In a seemingly endless run of natural catastrophes, there are swathes of the Caribbean, USA and now Latin America that are laid to ruin. With wildly varying repair estimates running up to $200 billion, the hurricanes alone could be the costliest ever seen, now notwithstanding Mexico City reeling from the latest 7.1 magnitude quake.

Described as one of the most complicated skyscraper projects ever attempted, the 1,100 feet tall New Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles will be the tallest building on the Pacific Coast when it opens next year, outstripping the nearby US Bank Tower.